ABOUT 200 people including war veterans, residents, school students and staff, and Town of Bassendean staff attended a Remembrance Day service at the Bassendean War Memorial today.

November 11 marks the 98th anniversary of the Armistice that ended the World War I (1914–18).

The Eastern Regional Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) WA sub-branch members hosted the event, with the assistance of Town of Bassendean chief executive Bob Jarvis.

Bassendean Primary School, St Michael’s School, Bassendean mayor John Gangell and Bassendean MLA Dave Kelly were also present to pay respects to those who died in war and conflict.

The service involved a poem read by Bassendean Primary School student Kyran Baptiste Jones, a performance by the school choir and the Prayer of Remembrance read by student Lachlan Mitchell.

Eastern Regional RSL sub-branch acting president Bob Hobbs (85), who represented the Navy Senior Service in the Malayan Emergency, said Remembrance Day was to pay respects to those who passed away during battle.

“(Remembrance Day is) remembering your comrades who have gone before you and hoping the end of World War I was the end of future world wars,” he said.

“I have only got a grandson-in-law who is in the army reserve as a medico; he went to Afghanistan three times but I would not like to see my sons go to war.

“The RSL on Saturday will help look after returned servicemen and especially the members and their families.”

Eastern Regional RSL sub-branch member Ray Kennedy (67), who served as an army reservist in Australia, said mateship was the most important part of the day for war veterans.

“Ninety-eight years ago the guns stopped at the end of what they called the ‘war to end all wars’ and it was not to be, it has continued on and the next generation, including my dad, went to war in Greece,” he said.

“When Dad was in Greece, he stayed fighting until he got ordered out…he was looking after his mates.